Field Trials for Different 5G NSA Cellular Networks

With the introduction of 5G networks, network operators are encountering novel challenges regarding network coverage, capacity, and quality of service. Therefore, it has become imperative to measure and monitor the performance of networks to identify anomalies and optimize performance. This is particularly crucial for NSA 5G networks, as they are constructed on top of the existing 4G infrastructure and may not offer the full potential of 5G technology. In this study, we underscore the importance of system measurements in recently deployed 5G networks, specifically NSA 5G networks, in a town that comprises diverse operational environments. To accomplish this, we utilized handheld devices to gauge the system parameters simultaneously for 4G and 5G networks, and reported critical parameters that assess coverage, capacity, and quality performance, for three cellular network operators.